US-backed Syria alliance pushes into IS border hub

US-backed Syrian fighters pushed further into the Islamic State group stronghold of Manbij on Saturday, seizing a key road junction and grain silos overlooking the city, a monitoring group said. The city lies close to the border with Turkey and is a key staging post on the jihadists’ supply line to areas under its control in eastern Syria and neighbouring Iraq. The US-backed Kurdish and Arab forces, which have thrust into Manbij after driving across the Euphrates River from the east, have encircled the city and are now closing in with the support of US-led coalition air strikes.